CovationBio celebrates 20 years of biobased PDO, unveils expansion plans   

In Delaware, CovationBio has unveiled plans to expand capacity for biobased 1,3 propanediol at Loudon, TN by 33,000 metric tons, as it celebrates 20 years since the landmark facility’s ground-breaking. Currently, the plant has capacity to produce 77,000 metric tons. It was last expanded in 2019.

“We’re excited to be part of this journey with our value chain partners to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said John Hurban, vice president of global marketing and sales at CovationBio PDO said in a press statement.

First commercialized in 2006, PDO has several uses. It is a precursor for Sorona®, a partially biobased polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber for carpets and fabrics. PDO also has applications in footwear, apparel, personal care, home care, pharmaceuticals, foods and flavors.

The Loudon facility is one of industrial biotechnology’s earliest large-scale production success stories.